THE MAGICAL MUSIC OF GUSTAV MAHLER

A FREE LECTURE TO BE FOLLOWED BY

LET’S VISIT MAHLER’S VIENNA

(A VIENNESE-STYLE LUNCHEON-$20 PER PERSON)

A THREE-PART EVENT ON TWO SEPARATE DAYS

Presented by Natchez Festival of Music and Trinity Episcopal Church

This very special, three-part event in May 2024 will take place on two separate days at Trinity Episcopal Church, 305 South Commerce Street, Natchez, MS. 

Event 1 | Lecture

11 a.m., Thursday, May 9: The Magical Music of Gustav Mahler

Presented by the Trinity Episcopal Church
Marion Smith Speaker Series

A free lecture entitled The Magical Music of Gustav Mahler will be presented by Dr. Joseph E. Jones, musicologist at the University of Southern Mississippi School of Music. He will discuss Mahler’s life and work in Europe and the United States and the significance and meaning of Mahler’s incredible symphonic work, The Song of the Earth.  He will also talk about turn-of-the-century Vienna, where Austria's artistic and literary elite came together. Being a part of this cultural environment along with Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, Arnold Schoenberg, and many other intellectual and cultural giants, it was here that Mahler began to explore new musical territory. Song of the Earth (Das Lied von der Erde) is a perfect example of the modernism that became a feature of Mahler’s late style. Dr. Jones’ lecture will prepare the audience for the Song of the Earth concert that will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16. This lecture, to take place in Trinity Church, is free and open to the public.

Event 2 | A Viennese-inspired Seated Luncheon

12 noon, Thursday, May 9: Let’s Visit Mahler’s Vienna,
A $20 Viennese inspired luncheon, will take place in the Rectors Room in Kuehnle Hall of Trinity Episcopal Church. The menu will include an Austrian-style entrée, sides, and bread rolls, with a Viennese-inspired dessert and coffee.

Event 3 | concert

7 p.m., Thursday, May 16:
For the first time in Mississippi, Gustav Mahler’s spectacular and moving concert, The Song of the Earth, will be presented. Conducted by Jay Dean, Natchez Festival of Music Artistic Director, the concert will feature two renowned vocalists, Jonathan Yarrington, tenor, and Myka Murphy, mezzo soprano, as well as the Festival of Music Chamber Players. This world-class ensemble of professional musicians, who hail from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia, are experienced members of regional and national orchestras, chamber ensembles, and opera companies. Joining this incredible production is Ward Emling, actor and former Mississippi Film Office Director, who will present the poetry that inspired each of the symphony’s six movements. Also included will be special elements that will maximize the audience’s experience.